The effects of electric field (EF) during incubation of eggs on hatchability traits, and post-hatch
performance, nutrient utilization and carcass characteristics of meat chickens were investigated in 2 trials.
Eggs from a meat-type breeder flock were incubated under EF of 30kV/m, 60Hz during the first 18 d of
incubation as compared with the control incubation treatment (C). Chicks hatched from the two incubation
treatments (EF and C) were fed ad libitum and their performance was monitored. Measurements were made
of hatchability, hatchability failures, chick hatching weight (CHWT), length of incubation, post-hatch
performance (weight gain (WTG), feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio (FCR)), and nutrient utilization
(apparent nitrogen retention and nitrogen corrected metabolizable energy of birds at 30 d of age), and
carcass characteristics of sexed birds at 40 d of age. EF incubation of eggs significantly (P < 0.05) increased
per cent of hatchability, per cent of hatching chicks by 468 hour of incubation, CHWT and reduced embryo
deaths, pips with life embryos, length of incubation and percentage of hatched chicks at 492 plus 504 of
incubation by approximately 11.0, 428, 2.4, 56, 86, 5.1 and 98%, respectively. EF birds had a higher (P < 0.05)
WTG than the C birds, when they were placed with feed and water after hatching, but not when birds were
held without feed and water to the end of incubation period. EF incubation of eggs did not significantly
influenced feed intake, FCR, and nutrient utilization of birds. Carcass of the EF birds had higher (P < 0.01)
proportion of drumstick (g/kg eviscerated carcass (EC)), and lower proportions of edible offal (liver plus heart
plus gizzard, g/kg live weight (LWT) and thigh (g/kg EC) when compared with those of the C birds. Carcass
of male birds had significantly (P < 0.01) higher proportion of drumstick (g/kg EC), and lower proportion of
edible offal (g/kg LWT) than female birds. In the EF group, female birds had significantly (P < 0.01) higher
LWT and carcass neck plus back (g/kg EC), and lower EC (g/kg LWT) and carcass breast (g/kg EC) than
males birds. However in the C group, male birds had a higher LWT than female birds. Whilst, sex of birds
of the C group did not significantly influence EC (g/kg LWT), and carcass breast and back plus neck (g/kg
EC). It is concluded that the incubation of eggs under EF of 30kV/m, 60Hz increased hatchability of eggs, and
chick hatching weight, reduced incubation time of eggs and altered carcass characteristics of birds. EF
incubation of eggs increased weight gain of birds when hatched chicks were placed with feed and water after